Mizuno Neo Zen review

We tested the Neo Zen in the lab, and we think it’s a great choice for:

• Runners looking for a high-stack daily trainer that blends comfort, fun, and performance in a unique way.
• Those needing a durable everyday shoe that can handle tempo runs when needed thanks to its lightweight build.
• Marathoners who want a super-soft, leg-saving option for easy and recovery days.
• Fans of knit uppers!

We believe the Neo Zen isn’t the best choice for runners who need stability or a more grounded feel. After testing, we found that the soft foam creates a sink-in sensation that may feel unstable for many. If you're after a smoother and more balanced ride, we suggest checking out the Hoka Clifton 10 or the Adidas Adistar 3—both offer a more stable platform for daily training.

Additionally, we think the knit upper, while stretchy and breathable, lacks the structure and padding some runners expect in a daily trainer. In our experience, the heel fit can feel loose. For a similar bouncy shoe with a more traditional, secure feel, we recommend trying the ASICS Novablast 5 instead.

We all know that running shoes are getting taller and taller—we see it daily here in the lab. But daily trainers pushing past 40 mm? That’s quickly becoming normal, and the Neo Zen proves it with confidence.

We measured a sky-high 41.0 mm in the heel. That makes this shoe a full maximalist design, ideal for those who prefer a zero-ground-feel ride or for heavier runners needing a joint-friendly, cushion-loaded experience.

At 34.0 mm, the forefoot is even more impressive than the heel—especially when compared against the average running shoe. No matter your footstrike, there’s always a generous, foam-packed platform underfoot.

We measured a medium drop of 7.0 mm, which on paper, works well for all footstrikes. However, we think it’s not the top pick for heel strikers—the rearfoot is ultra-soft and creates a sink-in sensation that slows momentum.

On the flip side, midfoot and forefoot strikers will enjoy a smooth ride that feels lively and naturally forward-rolling.

Mizuno has pulled off a remarkable comeback in recent years with standout shoes like the Neo Vista—showcasing bold designs and next-gen foams. A major part of that success is Enerzy NXT.

This foam is extremely plush. We measured 13.5 HA with our durometer, which confirmed our first impression and places the Neo Zen among the softest daily trainers available. For runners needing extra stability, it might feel overly plush, but Mizuno managed to avoid bottoming out by packing in a massive slab of foam as we proved before.

And there’s been some talk about what this midsole is really made of. So we sliced the shoe in half, cut out a piece of foam, and examined it under our microscope. The results were clear—it’s a nitrogen-infused, supercritical EVA, with tighter, smaller bubbles than usual.

Another clear sign that Enerzy NXT is EVA-based is its poor cold-weather performance. While PEBA or TPU stay almost the same after 20 minutes in our freezer, the Neo Zen got 33% firmer—worse than the average. If this worries you, check the PEBA-based ASICS Superblast 2 instead.

One of the few things in the Neo Zen that doesn’t stand out is the insole—it’s pretty standard in both material and feel, with an average thickness of 4.8 mm.

Despite having a thick midsole, the Neo Zen comes with a very light rocker by modern standards. That makes it better for runners who don’t enjoy an aggressive-rocker feel during their runs. The heel curvature is subtle too, which backs up our view that while it works for most, the Neo Zen feels especially natural for midfoot strikers.

But why can it get away with a less exaggerated rocker compared to other thick shoes? Two reasons: it’s more flexible, and the ultra-soft foam bends with minimal force.

Knit-based uppers can be a bit misleading when it comes to fit, as their extra-stretchy nature compared to mesh often makes them feel roomier than what our lab measurements actually show. That’s exactly the case with the Neo Zen.

This soft-and-flexible material is far less rigid than mesh and adapts nicely to the shape of the foot. That’s why—even though we measured just 93.7 mm at the widest point—it feels like a standard daily trainer with an average, comfort-driven fit, not very tight or restrictive.

In terms of toebox width, the Neo Zen stays true to its daily-trainer-like fit.

However, remember that since it features a knit upper, there’s a bit more real space for toe splay—the material doesn’t restrict toe movement much.

We found plenty of toe room as soon as we slipped the Neo Zens on—no discomfort, no tight spots, just an easy and pressure-free fit right from the start.

Afterward, we measured the toebox height at 27.0 mm, offering a roomy fit that should feel great even for runners sensitive to pressure.

While some daily trainers in the past two years have brought impressive stability, that’s not the case with the Neo Zen. Its squishy foam and sky-high stack make true stability out of reach.

That said, it remains reasonably stable for neutral runners thanks to its wide-platform heel and the long, stability-enhancing central groove in the outsole.

With a score of 3/5, we wouldn’t call this shoe rigid. In fact, for such a towering stack height, it’s one of the most flexible options we’ve tested in this maximalist category.

Another sign that Mizuno didn’t prioritize stability in the Neo Zen is the heel counter stiffness—we rated it a super-low 1/5. It’s extremely pliable and may feel too unstable for heel strikers needing extra support.

On the flip side, it’s very comfortable for everyone else, gently wrapping the heel with a soft feel and zero pressure points for the Achilles tendom.

Another big reason this shoe isn’t ultra-stable is the midsole width. Unlike some competitors, Mizuno chose a more streamlined design to avoid a clunky feel—we measured just 113.5 mm in the forefoot.

That’s actually below average, going against the current super-wide trend, and we welcome it. The market’s already flooded with overly-wide shoes and it's great to have all kind of choices.

The heel is slightly wider than average, likely to offset the reduced stability from the plush foam and ultra-flexible heel counter. Still, it’s nothing extreme or distracting—and barely noticeable while running.

We were excited to run our bend machine, as the Neo Zen showed a great mix of towering stack height and smooth flex. It scored 12.8N—perfect for runners seeking an ultra-cushy yet bendable shoe for relaxed long runs.

The Enerzy NXT foam feels fantastic underfoot thanks to its soft-and-bouncy character, but there’s more—it’s also extremely lightweight. That’s the only way to explain how a behemoth shoe like this lands at just 8.25 oz or 234g.

For us, this has to be one of the Neo Zen’s standout qualities—delivering a rare mix of joint-friendly cushioning and feather-light build that’s hard to find in other high-stack trainers.

One of the common downsides we often see with knit-based uppers is their poor ventilation. This material tends to be thicker and less breathable—trapping warm air in the toebox and making it a weak option for summer runs.

But in the case of the Neo Zen, Mizuno took a smarter approach. We believe they crafted a year-round upper that avoids the usual pitfalls of knit, and in our breathability test, it earned a solid 4/5 score.

The secret lies in the rounded ventilation holes positioned across the toebox. As soon as we moved the shoe over a strong light, those airy cutouts lit up clearly.

Curious to explore this further, we placed the upper under our microscope.

What we discovered was a tightly-knit weave with consistent openings. The holes looked slightly smaller than expected, but there’s no second internal layer blocking airflow, unlike in most double-layer engineered mesh uppers.

If you’re hoping for a plush-and-pillowy upper packed with foam, though, you’ll be disappointed. Mizuno skipped extra padding in favor of a featherweight design.

The knit upper of the Neo Zen offers solid breathability, but even more impressive is its damage resistance. In our Dremel test, it scored a perfect 5/5, making it a standout choice in its price range.

The heel area also held up well—something we expected given the minimal padding. It didn’t hit the top score, but a 4/5 still beats the average shoe by a solid margin.

The outsole of the Neo Zen clearly follows Mizuno’s recent design trend seen in models like the Neo Vista, which has gained quite a loyal following over the past year.

We measured the rubber at 62.5 HC, which is soft enough to provide top traction on dry pavement and smooth city paths. It works well in daily training conditions, offering a secure ride with a cushioned landing.

However, as shown in our photo, the center cutout leaves a big chunk of foam exposed. This keeps the shoe feather-light, but it does reduce grip on wet conditions and makes it less suited for rough or rocky surfaces where durability matters more.

The X10 rubber used by Mizuno delivered an impressive result in our durability test. Despite its softness, it showed only 0.9 mm of wear—something we’ve seen in very few outsoles with this kind of formulation.

At 2.7 mm, it strikes a solid balance—light enough to reduce weight, yet thick enough to handle regular wear without breaking down too quickly.

The Neo Zen brings something rare for its price—a lively, fun ride paired with a sock-like knit upper. If that’s what you’re after, its value is hard to beat, especially given its competitive MSRP.

Mizuno nailed a clever double win in the heel design by using a reflective strip to conceal the stitching while seamlessly extending it into the finger-loop heel tab.

The Neo Zen’s integrated tongue doesn’t offer much padding at 4.1 mm. Therefore, it won’t feel like a cushion across the instep, yet unless you’re extremely sensitive to pressure in that area, it should hold up fine even during long runs.

The lacing setup stands out with its minimalist, stitch-free approach, tailored to match the one-piece upper. There’s no extra eyelet for a runner’s knot, but that’s intentional—the snug, sock-like construction already locks the heel in securely without needing extra reinforcement.

The sock-like upper wraps the foot snugly and eliminates any chance of tongue shifting, thanks to its fully integrated design—similar to what made the Nike Alphafly 3 and earlier generations stand out.

Like many running shoes with knit uppers, the Neo Zen features a heel tab that makes slipping them on a whole lot easier.

Looking to dial up the cushioning in the Neo Zen, or maybe tone it down a bit? The removable stock insole lets you swap it out for your preferred option, whether it's plusher or more minimal.